2015 February Meeting Minutes
PINE ISLAND RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 16, 2015
The meeting was convened promptly at 7 PM by Vice President Ivone Palus.
ATTENDEES: Ivone Palus, Don Guske, Bob Smith, Elizabeth Sengupta, Dave Kwiatkowski, Cindy Ferrini, Sharon Moore, Ron Hahn, Judy Elliott, Cheri Aleksic, Yolla Blair, and John Brock.
TOWN VISITORS
- Police Chief David Dowling and Town Councilman Mike Troxel were in attendance.
Councilman Troxel presented information on the following:
- Relative to recent heavy snow storms, there were inconsistencies in snow removal. There were new drivers for snow removal. A new protocol has been implemented for heavy snowfalls.
- Drainage projects for homeowner backyards are planned for the following:
- 8800 Mathews, 5017 90th Lane, 8430 Porter Place, and 8700 Burr.
- Cornerstone Subdivision – status – utilities are in.
- Regarding foreclosures, – Bill introduced to the legislature to allow Towns to purchase and resell these properties. The town is hoping for its passage.
- Update on Broadmoor Country Club – In the process of making 17 acres which belong to Schererville into a passive, natural park, with a berm to separate it from the Merrillville property at the same location.
- Roundabout on Cline seems to be working well.
- Plans for new fire station serving west end of Schererville – currently assessing several different properties.
- Still no occupants for the vacant space in the Pine Island Plaza. Updating is still in progress.
- New senior residence center is planned for the property west of Advanced Imaging at the corner of Burr and Rte. 30.
Chief Dowling presented information on the following topics:
- Overall, town-wide, there was a 15% reduction in crime in Schererville.
- Presented a recap of crime activity for the PI Community. For 2014, 322 calls for service, only 17 crimes reported. Hidden Crick Apartments had 313 calls for service, with 12 incidents, and Cedar Point had 331 calls for service resulting in 17 incidents. Overall, there were 46 incidents vs. a town wide total of 721. Pine Island is doing very well, and is considered a very low crime area based on the 2014 statistics.
- Chief Dowling sits on the HIDA County wide board. Heroin continues to be the biggest drug problem county wide. Schererville has two dedicated offices to work on drug related incidents. Effectiveness of the Schererville enforcement has resulted in a reduction of drug overdoses from 25 in 2013to a total of 2 in 2014.
- The SPD currently employs 49 officers. There are 20 VIPs. Of the total of VIPs, 5-6 work with patrol. Other VIPs work as staffers. Police are currently on 12 hour shifts. SPD is currently planning for the resources needed for a seamless transition due to planned retirements of some officers.
Board members discussed concerns they had regarding the SPD:
- More patrol coverage at times when buses drop off children from school. It has been observed that individuals in a van have been taking pictures of children getting off buses. Chief will discuss with the Patrol Commander.
- Delayed responses to calls asking for Common Grounds trespassing. Chief will address this with the appropriate individuals.
- Chief was asked that when the Town is made aware of marathons/races going thru Pine Island that the Board is contacted in order to notify residents of the event . The Chief agreed, and apologized for last year’s event that caused an issue.
- Sharon Moore complimented the new Compliance Officer, Sam DeCero for the good job he is doing in addressing compliance issues in Pine Island that are brought to his attention.
- Chief does not have a problem with Officer DeCero being added to the list of invitees for the PIRCA monthly board meetings.
VP Palus thanked both visitors and welcomed both to stay if they desired. Both visitors thanked VP Palus for the invitation to stay, but declined and left the meeting.
- MINUTES FROM the January 19, 2015 BOARD MEETING
- Ron Hahn made a motion to accept the January minutes with the removal of arrival times for attendees. Don Guske seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
- TREASURER’S REPORT FOR FEBRUARY, 2015
- John Brock reported that so far for 2015, 473 assessments were paid out of 543. Second mailings for those not paid are to be sent out shortly. Cindy Ferrini made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented dated February 14, 2015. Yolla Blair seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
- COMMITTEES:
Commons Area/Landscape
- 16 Ash Trees have been removed. No cutting is being done right now due to frigid temperatures. Access Tree Service was contacted and is now documenting removal as requested. Sharon reinforced the procedure with Access.
- Twin Lakes accident update – Filed claim with insurance company. Will submit estimates to the insurance company for repairs once the weather breaks and Seasons can review the damage and provide a quote.
Ponds
- The current frequency of treating the ponds ($1500 annually) does not seem to be effective in controlling algae for the entire year. One possible alternative is to treat the ponds 2x/month beginning in April-May.
Action Item: Dave Kwiatkowski to contact Aquatic Weed Control for a written proposal for the bi-monthly treatment program. This should include placing markers when ponds treated. Detailed proposal can be put to a vote by the Board in March.
Action Item: Dave Kwiatkowski to ask Aquatic Weed Control if they can treat the rip-wrap weeds at the ponds, or if they can recommend a contractor to treat the rip-wrap around the ponds, as it was discussed that last year’s weed control of this area by Seasons was lacking.
Playgrounds
- Nothing to report at this time.
Architectural Review
- 5503 W. 86th Terrace contacted Don Guske regarding placement of a satellite dish in the front yard. Don contacted Mike Troxel if there was any Town ordinance that governs placement. Town Ordinance 17.16 prohibits placement of a satellite dish in the front yard. Don contacted the homeowner and advised of the town ordinance violation.
Compliance (Homeowner’s Issues/Problems):
Sharon Moore reported the following:
- RTO signs on Durbin are okay – these are considered real estate signage
- Mathews credit repair sign – these types of signs require a permit, which was not obtained. The sign was removed.
- Trashed tires on the bike path were picked up by Public Works the day after they were reported.
- Union signage in yards is allowed, as they are considered freedom of speech.
- The Compliance Officer will be using door hangers to notify of issues.
- Trucks – Utility Trucks are allowed up to 9000# (can be ascertained by truck license plate)
- All letters sent to Core Logics have been returned as non deliverable as addressed. Forwarded to Los Angeles to J.P. Morgan Chase.
Communications:
New Homeowners Update
- 2 new homeowners were visited.
PIRCA Newsletter:
- VP Palus stated the deadline for the next newsletter is March 13. At that time, it will be released to the printer.
PIRCA Website
- Nothing new to report
Special Events
- Cheri Aleksic reported June 13 will be the day for the Kiddie Parade, which is the day before Flag Day. The parade will be 10 AM – Noon. Line up for the parade will be at 9:45 AM.
- OLD BUSINESS
- VP Palus instructed the board members to begin considering who will fill the officers positions that will be vacated after the October 2015 annual meeting.
- NEW BUSINESS
- Treasurer John Brock stated he felt that dues should be assessed at a flat rate rather than the calculation currently being done based on lot size in order to simplify the process. President Palus reminded John that the method of calculation is contained in the by-laws, and any change to the by-laws would require a 2/3 majority vote from all homeowners, which would be an involved process.
Action item: VP Palus requested that this topic be brought up for discussion and board vote at the March meeting.
- Don Guske announced that he will be moving and resigning from the Board effective April 1.
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- Monday, March 16, 2015, 7 PM at Rosati’s
- ADJOURN
- Meeting adjourned at 8:24 pm
